Grow Omaha
News Briefs

Scooter’s Coffee plans to build a restaurant at 12020 Anne Street on the southwest corner of 120th & L Street. The future coffee shop has posted a “coming soon” sign on the site and has received plumbing and electrical building permits from the City of Omaha. Construction had started on the site last year for a Burger Detour restaurant until the brand abruptly went out of business.

Invictus Mobile Auto Care has opened a brick-and-mortar detail studio at 12722 North 158th Street in Bennington, offering detailing, ceramic coating, window tinting and paint protection film services. The business also announced the launch of a new division, Invictus Mobile Auto Glass. - Nicole Buntgen

Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority will hold a topping-out ceremony February 16 to celebrate the placement of the final, highest beam in the CHI Health Center’s $200 million convention center expansion. The 90,000 sq. ft., 2-level addition on the east side features floor-to-ceiling glass walls and expands the number of meeting rooms from 16 to 41. Upon completion, CHI’s convention space will total 420,000 sq. ft. The existing convention center space will receive updates to flooring, woodwork and bathrooms.

Borsheims, one of America’s largest independent jewelry stores, will renovate its store at Regency Shopping Center. The project will transform 20,000 sq. ft. of showroom space into an open-concept environment. Features include additional seating areas for private consultations, an updated luxury salon dedicated to high-end jewelry collections and a gold exterior façade. HDR is leading the design, while Kiewit is the contractor. Renovations will begin following Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting this May. The store will remain open during construction.

Nebraska Medicine has asked the Douglas County District Court to dismiss the lawsuit filed last month involving the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and Clarkson Regional Health Services. In a press release, Nebraska Medicine leadership and its Board of Directors said they are focused on moving forward under the single-member governance structure approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents last month.

For the fourth time in the past five months, Creighton University’s Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved below growth neutral. The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, increased to a weak 49.6 from 47.6 in December.

Werner Enterprises, Inc., has acquired Tennessee-based First Enterprises, Inc., a dedicated trucking company known as FirstFleet, for approximately $245 million in cash. Werner will also separately acquire real estate properties directly from FirstFleet. The acquisition establishes Werner as the fifth-largest dedicated carrier in the United States.

Meddys plans to open a second Omaha location at One Pacific Place. The quick-casual Mediterranean restaurant has signed a lease for a 3,500 sq. ft. space at 10317 Pacific Street, formerly occupied by Andrés Tortillery, according to Holly Jones of the Lund Company. Opening is planned for this fall. Meddys’ existing Omaha location is at Village Pointe. Based in Wichita, Kan., Meddys was founded in 2014 and now has 15 locations in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska.

Take2 Omaha, a seasonal consignment store, has opened a new location inside Oak View Mall in the former Rush Market space. The business sells gently used and new children’s clothing, shoes, toys, books, baby equipment and furniture. - Nicole Buntgen

Burlington Social plans to open February 6 in the former Burlington League space at 1002 South 10th Street in Little Italy. Burlington Social is the third location in the Social family, joining Blackstone Social at 3910 Farnam Street, and Social 192 near 192nd & Pacific Street. In addition to the main bar, Burlington Social features a basement lounge called The Talk Back To Me Lounge, “a fun, laid-back space designed for late-night hangs, cocktails and a more intimate lounge vibe.”

A senior housing project will be soon underway in the Avenue One Good Life District. The housing will be built on vacant property at the southwest corner of 188th & Burke Steet, according to a building permit. The project consists of a 4-story residential building with 165 units, including 1- and 2-bedroom apartments. Amenities will include an indoor pool and spa area plus a basement parking garage. The project is called Attivo Trail and will cater to the 55+ active adult demographic. - Isaiah Ang

Crisp & Green plans to open a second location in the Shoppes of Legacy. According to a building permit for remodel, the health food restaurant chain will be located at 16902 Wright Plaza, Suite 195, the bay on the end of the building next to California Bronze Tanning. Crisp & Green has a current location at 225 North 80th Street and more than 45 locations throughout the country. - Isaiah Ang

Marigold’s Mercantile, a home goods store, has opened in the former Book Nook space at 2115 South 67th Street in Aksarben Village next to Godfather’s Pizza. The shop offers curated home goods, pantry staples and locally made products. - Nicole Buntgen

Food Bank for the Heartland is closed while the organization moves into its recently completed 105,000 sq. ft. office and warehouse building on the northeast corner of 84th & L Streets. The food bank will officially open at the location on February 2. - Mark Champion

Twin Hospitality Group Inc., the parent company of Twin Peaks Restaurant, has commenced voluntary chapter 11 proceedings. The filing is intended to reduce debt, maximize value for stakeholders and support long-term growth of its restaurant brands. The restaurant still plans to open its brand-new Omaha location next month in the Village Pointe West development. Founded in 2005, Twin Peaks has 114 locations in the United States and Mexico.

Avenue Two Consignment, a modern consignment boutique specializing in curated designer fashion, is now open at 1022 South 74th Plaza. Avenue Two carries designer handbags, dresses, tops and shoes, with one of the store’s signature highlights being its "denim bar," an assortment of denim styles, fits and brands. Avenue Two was founded by Rachel Heiser and Meghan Conway Rowen, two Omaha moms who bonded over their shared time living in New York City and their mutual love of fashion.

The Bellevue City Council last week approved an option purchase agreement for land near the future Bellevue Bay waterpark for a possible “racino” project. Bellevue would give BELREV, LLC the option to purchase 22 acres for $1,915,220. The option agreement expires in January of 2027, however, it may be extended up to three more years. Under the terms of the agreement, the developer will pay an annual fee of 1 percent of the purchase price. – Isaiah Ang

Cold Stone Creamery earlier this week closed its stores at Midtown Crossing in Omaha and Nebraska Crossing in Gretna. The national ice cream chain has four other shops in Omaha, all of which are staying open. Cold Stone also plans to open a store soon on the southwest corner of 156th & State Street.

Benjamin’s Neighborhood Kitchen will hold a grand opening celebration on January 30 at 3623 North 129th Street in Eagle Run Plaza in the former Copal Mexican Cuisine space. The restaurant reopened under new ownership and will offer 50-cent margaritas to the first 50 customers. - Nicole Buntgen

Mootz will permanently close its Countryside Village restaurant at 8725 Shamrock Road on January 31. The family-owned pizzeria opened its brick-and-mortar location in August 2023 after starting as a food truck and is known for Neapolitan-style pizza. – Nicole Buntgen